First Day

Yesterday was the first day working with and learning the equipment at the Y. It was quite fun and informational and I have a lot to learn. Had thought I would be stiff and sore this morning but I'm not, so thats a good thing. We went over all the cardio machines and then did the lower body resistance machines. I am going in before work this morning and we are going to do the upper body resistance, then will have just the free weights and the fit center left to do.

No regular schedule yet, but am hoping to have that by Sept, which is coming quickly

Michelle Now, Me Then

Tonight while talking to my darling daughter we somehow got on the subject of ages. She is 27 and for some reason this came as a shock to me. Worse yet, is the fact that she reminded me that she was born when I was 26. That means she is one year older now than I was then. she seems so darn young to me and I just truly don't think I was ever that young. I thought it would be fun to show pictures of us side by side, so this is her a few weeks ago when she was home and driving my little red convertible and me 27 years ago pregnant with her. fun wow! found some really neat pictures going through some of these. Wish i'd have thought to post a few of them for my sister's 50th birthday blog. Some of them were pretty cute. guess I'll save them sis. And get you next time.

I do seem to have a real problem with ages, I guess its just not really important to me any more. Quite a far cry from the year I turned 30 and got tattoed! It's only a number.

Seems strange

I need to get ready for work at the Y this morning. We are starting in the cybex room this morning and I need to be there by 10:30. Not to sure how long I will be there today, but it seems strange taking a shower and getting dressed before going to work out. I am sure that I will not actually be doing a real workout there this morning but she is showing me how all of the machines operate. Usually people shower after using the equipment. I will be showering before.

I think it was ironic also that a few months ago when buying shoes for the relay and walking I kept an extra pair. I lked the way they felt and they were plain white. Have only worn them maybe twice inside for aerobics. My uniform for the Y requires white sneakers. I'm all set.

Well, I'm anxious to see how this day goes and do wish that they would get me a real schedule, so far they have just been scheduling day by day as I am there. Maybe by now they will have it worked out somewhat. Guess I'll find out when I get there.

New puppy

Finally remembered to send this picture of Howie and dog, Arby to the email address. It has been on my cell phone since Vegas and I kept forgetting it. it turned out pretty good I think for being taken with my cell phone. Amazing stuff, all this technology, I love it. Howie named the dog Arby because thats where he had eaten lunch that day. Michelle thought it was a good thing that he hadn't eaten at Wendy's. LOL

I'm still not real sure why he thought he wanted or needed a dog and especially a pit bull. I am anxious to see how it works out for him.

The other picture is Michelle and I taken at Mandalay Bay in the Shark Reef, that was really pretty neat. think my mom would have liked it and possibly we can get her there the next time out.

I didn't get much done today except some cleaning, my exercise has still been left behind for this month, although I did get a nice 2 mile walk/jog in this morning and that felt great. I've been doing some new protein shakes and made one today that I absolutely loved, think I'm going for another one now. used chocolate soy milk, protein powder, half a banana and chopped ice in the blender..boy, was it good. and Yep, going for another one now..

Heading out

I haven't had a real walk for over two weeks now. Not to sure when the last one was but it had to be the Saturday before we left for Vegas or earlier. I am putting on the ipod, the heart monitor and heading out of here. Hoping for about 2 miles, but may not make it quite that far this morning.

The rest of the day will be spent wiping down walls and trying to get the burnt chicken smell out of this house. It's been three days now and still smells terrible.

I am enjoying the thought of a day off and home. Wed, which will be my next day off is going to be spent at the Y in some serious training. I've worked some extra long hours since getting back to work this week. Have had two days where customers have kept me late but both time have bought and some nice respectable sales, so that was excellent.

Not to sure why, but this morning I woke up thinking that I want to take a few days in the upcoming months and go stay with my daughter in her new home to help her get organized. Not to sure where that thought came from, but think I would like the time to stay there and get acquainted with the area where the kids are living. she could have maybe helped with this thought, I had a message on the cell yesterday from her asking about her loft. We didn;t get much time there when we were out. Something to think about I guess.

Have a great day everyone, I am plugging into that ipod and heading out a bit.

Goals

This month has not been good for hitting any of my fitness goals. My step count is real low, not even close to my 15,000 steps a day. I lost that somewhere in Vegas. then we had 4 days of rain and cold when we got home, and that didn't help a lot either. I found it funny that my sister and I both were under 5000 steps for her birthday. that sure doesn't happen often thankfully.

At this point I am just going to start fresh in Sept. My minute goal is just non existent this month also. About the only good thing I can say is that I started a new part time job at the Y as fitness instructor and will be spending some time there helping other people get fit. I will be spending a good part of the day there on Wed and it looks very interesting. A very diverse mix of people.

Total surprise

It was quite a shock to me to learn that our team was the top, #1 fundraising team for the Relay for Life in our area. We had our Relay Wrap Up Party tonight and awards were given out. Our first year and this was quite an accomplishment. We should all be very pleased with this accomplishment. I am quite pleased to be taking a framed certificate into work to show everyone tomorrow, and Relay pins for all with the bronze level award on them. We did good! thanks everyone who helped with this in any way! Think I better send an email out to all friends and family who participated while I am thinking of it. Relay for next year is scheduled for July 12 through the 13th. Chances are good we will be having another team. Anyone interested shoot me an email.

I started the new part time job yesterday and am going in tomorrow for just an hour before work. I am excited about this still and hope its going to work out. So far, it seems to be what I am looking for. I like the idea of being a fitness instructor and hopefully can learn a lot and help other people to reach the goals that they set for themselves. As long as they will let me keep my hours low to work my main job it should be fine.

Through the years..

Today is my baby sisters, Cheri's, birthday. She is 50, count them, FIFTY, years old today. I needed to do something to mark her birthday and this was the best I could come up with considering the day I had, which went something like leave home at 8:20 this morning, get home for one hour at 12 to 1, then leave again to start new job, have car that wouldn't start leaving the new job, then dinner at Red Lobster, and finally arrive back home at 7:30 tonight.

Anyway, I kind of thought everyone (except her of course) may enjoy seeing pictures through the years of my dear, sweet, sister..Love ya Cher!

Cheri's version of the story to this picture is a bit different than mine. Cher will tell you that I dared her to ride her bike down Barton's hill with her eyes closed..(LOL, when did she ever listen to me anyway??) My version is that I wasn't even there and she it a rock with the tire on the bike and skidded...Mom? any ideas on whose story is closest? Cher must have been what about 8 maybe in this picture? Eddie probably about 5. NEXT PICTURE.

Mom would probably have a better idea of ages in these pictures but I'm thinking I must be around 14 or 15, cher possibly 11 or 12? Cute picture, taken in the projects where we grew up, I believe on E 245 St?

Darn it, this program just moved the pictures out of context, the third picture of my baby sister is with my son in Emporium in 1976. That would make Howie almost 5 and Cher would be about 19. Where do these years go? Going to add a few more pictures just to make this interesting. I do have others, alot of them, but these ones are already on the computer so its easier. Just wish they'd go where I put them.

okay, this one of the three of us was taken on MY birthday, so I'm older, so what??

Two more pictures to go, or who knows maybe three? this is being done for all posterity you know. Sorry Trisha, no time to edit these pictures and i figured you were in it with Cher, you deserved to stay in it.

the last and final picture has got to be taken with her happy hubby, Jeff and what better picture than one including the bench he made for us to raffle off for the relay. OOps, I lied, thats not going to be the last picture because I just found one on here that has to be last. Going to apologize for it now sis. Good think I live aways away, your going to want to shoot me. Also, for anyone who doesn't know, Cher and jeff just celebrated their wedding anniversary on Aug 9 and i believe the year was 1974?? 33 years maybe?

One last picture and I'm out of here.

sorry sis, I had to do it..LOL

This last one was taken at the Relay for Life, Yard sale. Loved it, and doubt that Cher ever saw it. If anyone would like to leave a comment, simply click on the comment button and it will allow comments onto this page..

Thanks everyone, hope you enjoy reading this and looking at the pics as much as I enjoyed doing it.

HAPPY BIRHTDAY CHERI

NOT FAIR

It really doesn't seem fair to leave Vegas in sunshine, and 110 degrees weather and come home to work, rain and 63 degrees. However, that is exactly what happened. I am running around inside in a sweatshirt, tshirt and jeans. The windows are all closed up and its raining, has been most of the day. This is truly the pitts for my last day of vacation.

We had a great week. Starting with good news at the doctors last Monday. All is good as far as my test results were concerned. I have to do another blood test again next year and then back again to UPMC, however all is good for now. Great news!

Then we left for vegas and had a great week with my kids. It did rain one afternoon for a while and was kind of funny to see. WE had just started out of our hotel to go to a different casino and ended up back inside due to the rain. Then on Saturday, when we were at Janies, it got windy, dark and started to thunder so we had to get out of her pool. Figures I guess.

We had a great time however. It was good to see the kids and Janie. Michelle and Bo's house is wonderful and it has a lot of potential, it is really not as little as she thinks it is. I truly think they have more space there than we did in our old house. I hope they get that ceiling painted soon and find someone who can do it for them.

I was offered the job at the Y and am hoping it works out for me to take it part time. I need to call them tomorrow and see what we can work out for hours for me. I am really hoping this works out, would love to try my hand as fitness instructor and to be able to learn alot from them. I need to see what hours though and hope we can fit it in around the store. As far as exercise goes there wasn't much this past week and Cher beat me for steps a few days I think. However, she really hasn't posted them all yet so am waiting to see.

It was sure good to see Mike last Sunday. I cannot believe that they were actually here for the day. He started the chemo again this week and I hope it is going okay for him. I had not seen him in about 6 years and he sure looks good. I am so glad that mom and Cher both got to come up to see him, I know how much it meant to him to have them here.

AUGUST 4, 2001

6 years ago today Michelle and Bo got married. wow, is that ever hard to believe. The time has gone so fast. Now they are proud home owners in Vegas, of all places. Gives me someplace nice to go and visit. LOL, we will be on our way there soon!

I think this was the last time we had our family all together in one place at one time. Mikes family, or most of them had come out for it, and it was sure nice to see all of them. My little girl all grown up, but still my little doll baby. How happy everyone is here. How handsome Bo looks in his uniform. Bet he doesn't miss that at all though.

Wishing you both many many more HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES!